Robert Gates

Asia is bound to be a focus for Leon Panetta as US defence secretary. With China’s rise, India and Pakistan squabbling and a belligerent North Korea, there’s plenty to do.

With little local support, it’s time for a rethink of the current plan to relocate US forces in Japan.

The US is well aware that China’s military doesn’t need to compete head-on. An asymmetric approach is more effective.

Does a cash-strapped US face a Cold War redux as China encourages it to ramp up defence spending? Boosting alliances is the way to respond, says Brad Glosserman.

Robert Gates announces a new US Navy presence in Singapore. Is the plan a response to China’s naval build-up?

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates says US-China military ties are improving, though some concerns remain.

The new US military strategy underscores the challenge of a rising China. But there’s more to the plans than just more hardware spending.

Egypt has shown how fast events can transform political landscapes. It’s not too early to start preparing for North Korea’s possible collapse—and for reunification.

The biggest obstacle to China developing a fleet of stealth J-20 fighters could be the cost of producing them.

US analysts and policymakers have been slow to appreciate the pace of China’s military progress. Is this changing?

But are its efforts to bolster ties with the US and Asian nations only about containing China—and protecting its territorial interests?

Gates’ Beijing visit was disappointing. The PLA appears more interested in sending a message than engaging.